Chapter 53: Strange Feelings

D’Arclight.

A name that held great power and fear, a family filled with powerful mages with connections that spanned across the entire continent.

It wasn’t a secret that they had assassins and thugs do their work for them.

In fact, most of the entire city probably knew that, but they couldn’t do anything about it.

Even just a simple complaint would likely risk their lives.

But most of that usually came from the head of the D’Arclight family.

Vredemann D’Arclight.

A dark attunement mage that could even give Corvus a run for his money in terms of sheer magical capabilities.

Naturally, the reputation of a family’s head usually seeped into its heirs.

More particularly, Evelina.

A prodigy, a rival to the great Valemont family’s own daughter.

Naturally, that reputation made her nigh unapproachable to anyone of her age, even for those who were of the same rank as her couldn’t initiate small talk.

The fear of her being just as cruel as the family head was enough to keep people in check, and they weren’t wrong to be afraid, as she definitely inherited her father’s streak of cruelty and sadism.

She was untouchable, a beauty that people could only imagine themselves to be with, one who was only meant to be observed.

At least… other than the Lionbright family’s own children, prodigies themselves, who approached her without a care in the world.

But then, some random odd new student finally decided to break that stale routine.

A random noble.

Cael Arden.

Different from her usual pawns and servants, different from the usual cowardly men who took an interest in her.

One who barely even mentioned, feared, or cared about her family’s status the moment she met him, only focusing on her and her alone without hesitation.

And after years of having difficulty making a connection with anyone, it made sense that the first person who approached her like that would give quite a good impression.

Even if the person was definitely not all right in the head.

But… maybe it added to his allure?

*** Present Day

“Not everything needs an answer?” Evelina repeated my words.

Her mind returned to stories she used to read as a child, the same corny stories she compared the emperor’s life to.

In all of those stories, there was always one core message that it wanted to deliver.

Love was strange.

It helped her calm down, even for a little.

“I suppose you’re right, even if it’s… cliche.”

Evelina tugged at the choker that wrapped tightly around her neck. “I don’t know what came over me.”

She laughed. While today was definitely filled with a ton of emotional rollercoasters, it should have been something she could reasonably maintain.

But the choker made that near impossible to do, resulting in her sudden outburst after seeing the banners that I personally designed.

“You, help calm me down…”

She sat on the edge of her bed. This was the second time she had allowed someone else to approach her in such a vulnerable state.

The first one was the time she first received the succubus’s power.

Even if she tried to deny it, it was clear she trusted me more than she was usually used to.

“Oka—”

“Now.”

She demanded before I could reply.

And as always, I moved, sitting beside her, trying my best to siphon the divine energy I gave her.

But it was impossible at this point; the choker had already absorbed most of it, even if I could forcefully take it, the effects wouldn’t change at all.

RUSTLE!

H-Huh?

It happened in an instant.

Evelina wrapped herself around my neck, her mouth just inches away from my neck.

I could feel it, her breathing, rough and ragged.

“You smell nice…” Evelina whispered, laughing.

I froze.

Hearing something like that out of the blue was surprising.

Evelina wasn’t the type to initiate physical closeness without a reason. Every touch she usually made was calculated, meant to intimidate, dominate, or provoke.

Even our interactions before were meant to control and elicit reactions out of me.

This one… wasn’t.

Her arms tightened slightly around my neck, not enough to trap me, but enough to make her intention clear.

Comfort.

Or maybe grounding.

My hands hovered for a brief second, unsure where to settle, before I gently placed one against her back, the other resting at her waist. She was warm, far warmer than usual, and tense beneath my touch.

“You’re overheating,” I said quietly. “That choker’s still amplifying everything.”

“I know,” she replied, voice muffled against my shoulder. “That’s why I told you to help.”

Her breath brushed my skin again, slower this time, as if she was forcing herself to breathe properly.

For someone who thrived on control, this was her version of asking to be held.

I adjusted my grip, pulling her just slightly closer, enough that her forehead rested against the side of my neck. I focused, absorbing the excess energy into me instead of letting it linger on her.

But I needed to be careful, I already had remnants of the previous succubutic energy flowing within me.

“…That’s better,” she murmured, brushing her hands against my cheek.

“You look quite cute now that I’m looking properly.”

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